Pneumococcal meningitides at the Clinic of Infectious Diseases in the University Hospital in Ostrava in 2004-2012
Abstract
Pneumococcal meningitides are the most serious kind of invasive pneumococcal diseases and they are associated with high mortality and frequent development of permanent health consequences. Between the years 2004-2012, 57 patients suffering from pneumococcal meningitis were hospitalised at the Clinic of Infectious Diseases of the University Hospital Ostrava.
Their average age was 52 years (aged between 6 months and 82 years). In 28 cases (49 %) the disease was caused by a primary pneumococcal infection.
The most common source of secondary infections was the middle ear area and the sinuses in 23 patients (40%), followed by head injury, bronchopneumonia and spondylodiscitis in 6 cases (10 %). The most common comorbidity was ischemic heart disease in 15 cases (26 %), followed by immunosuppressive conditions in 11 cases (19 %) and diabetes mellitus in 6 cases (10 %).
Surgical treatment was necessary in 9 cases (16 %). 15 patients (26 %) died, all of them were adults. 10 patients (18 %) suffered long-term neurological consequences. None of our patients had been vaccinated prior to contracting the disease.
Pneumococcal strains were identified in 19 patients, 13 of them are contained in the 13valent conjugate vaccine and 17 of them in the 23valent polysaccharide vaccine. Two of the identified strains are not contained in any available vaccines.
More extensive vaccination of the adult population is desirable.